Posted January 27, 2014
This evening, negotiators from the U.S. House and Senate announced a bipartisan agreement on a five-year farm bill and released the conference report, according to a press release from the House Agriculture Committee available here. The conference report is available here. Agri-Pulse reported on the story here.
The Washington Times reports that the legislation may be up for a vote in the House on Wednesday.
The five-year deal ends direct payments and cuts $8 billion from food stamps. According to a preliminary 10-year Congressional Budget Office score, the bill will reduce the deficit by about $23 billion.
The legislation also leaves in place the country of origin labeling rule, which some in the meat and poultry industry have criticized.
Leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees commented on the deal in the press release:
“I am proud of our efforts to finish a farm bill conference report with significant savings and reforms,” said Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. “We are putting in place sound policy that is good for farmers, ranchers, consumers, and those who have hit difficult times. I appreciate the work of everyone who helped in this process…I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting its passage.”
“Today’s bipartisan agreement puts us on the verge of enacting a five-year Farm Bill that saves taxpayers billions, eliminates unnecessary subsidies, creates a more effective farm safety-net and helps farmers and businesses create jobs,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
For more information on farm bills, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
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